The beginning of the week was marked by beginnings and endings as we said goodbye to the Daytona Cubs for 2014 as they bowed to Fort Myers in the Florida State League Championship. Meanwhile, in the west suburbs, the Midwest League Championships got underway as Kane County faced off against Lake County.
With all of the highlights, look inside today’s Down on the Farm Report for all of the latest in post-season news. … [Read more...]

For the second year in a row, the Cubs have placed two affiliates in their respective league championships as Daytona squared off against Ft. Myers (Twins) in the Florida State League Championship. In the Midwest League, the Kane County Cougars, owners of the best record in the minors, have blitzed their way to the Championship by beating Cedar Rapids (Twins) in two games straight.
For all of the details, have a look at today’s Down on the Farm Report. … [Read more...]

The off-season accolades for Kris Bryant are just beginning. The morning after USA Today named Kris Bryant its Minor League Player of the Year, Baseball America released its Minor League All-Star Team for the recently completed 2014 season.
Kris Bryant put up the numbers at the plate and made BA’s team as a third baseman. According to the report, not only did Bryant mash the baseball for Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, he also “impressed evaluators with better-than advertised defensive … [Read more...]

Its playoff time in the minor leagues, and the Daytona Cubs are on the way to the FSL Championship Series. Daytona beat Dunedin in the best of three series and were crowned Florida State League North Division Champs late Wednesday night. Daytona begins the defense of its title Thursday night against Ft. Myers in the opener of the best of five series.
Kane County put its best record in the minors to test Wednesday and posted a win with the help of a rehabbing Mike Olt.
Boise lost in their … [Read more...]

An 829-game minor league regular season ended Monday with three teams from the Cubs’ system making the playoffs: The Daytona Cubs, the Kane County Cougars, and the Boise Hawks. It took the final days of the season before Daytona and Boise could lay claim to the post-season, thanks to the efforts of hot-hitting shortstops Marco Hernandez and Gleyber Torres. Kane County had the best record in the minor leagues as the Cougars received excellent pitching performances in the final days from Tyler … [Read more...]

It’s getting down to the nitty-gritty as Boise is still fighting for a playoff spot while welcoming its newest addition, shortstop Gleyber Torres. Daytona’s magic number is down to one as the red-hot Bijan Rademacher has carried the D-Cubs of late. Tennessee remains in the hunt with a crucial weekend series on the horizon. The Smokies will be looking for Addison Russell to come back from injury to lead them to the post-season. Meanwhile, Kane County tied a franchise record for wins behind the … [Read more...]

With one week to go in the minor league season, streaking is what seems to be the trend in the Cubs’ system. Kane County was winners of 13 straight thanks to excellent pitching from Jonathan Martinez, Tyler Ihrig, and Ben Wells. Both Daytona and Kyle Schwarber went on a five game roll, with the first round pick belting six home runs over that span. Boise won three in a row, including the debut of second round pick Jake Stinnett. Meanwhile, Iowa has been going in the opposite direction, losing … [Read more...]

With time running out in the season, all of the Cubs’ top five minor league teams remain in the hunt for the playoffs. Boise will need some help, but is starting to get some production for Kevin Brown. Kane County is already in, and outfielder Jeffrey Baez is starting to make his presence felt. Daytona got some dramatics from Kyle Schwarber, while Tennessee received excellent pitching from Corey Black, C.J. Edwards, and Pierce Johnson. Meanwhile, Iowa looks like they will have to go down the … [Read more...]

According to reports from the Des Moines Register, Kris Bryant expects to be back in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against Salt Lake. Bryant did some running and participated in batting practice before Monday’s game a day after an MRI on his left foot revealed a bruise. Marty Pevey told the Des Moines Register that Bryant could return to the lineup Tuesday.
Kris Bryant was available off the bench for Monday’s game and pinch-hit for Elliot Soto in the eighth inning. Bryant walked and Jonathan … [Read more...]

The playoffs are looming in the minors and both Daytona and Tennessee moved into first place over the weekend. Iowa slipped into second as they continued to lose players to the Major League team. Kane County continued to find new and interesting ways to win games, while Boise looks like it is ready to go on a roll.
There are too many details to do an introduction any justice, so you need to open today’s Down on the Farm Report to read how the players and teams performed. … [Read more...]